Slip Chart–Inspired Project Schedule Diagramming: Links, Extension to Network Schedules, and Unification
Publication: Journal of Construction Engineering and Management
Volume 142, Issue 7
Abstract
Schedule delays are an unfortunate prevalent occurrence in the construction industry. To clearly visualize, track, and mitigate them, graphical and analytical tools are needed. But traditional bar charts do not clearly show delays, and network charts all but hide them. Neither facilitates side-by-side comparisons of schedule updates. Networks can be converted into a modified slip chart from the aerospace industry, which is particularly adept at analyzing delays. Contributions to the body of knowledge include the ability to communicate schedule information more efficiently with less ink, yet in a time-scaled manner, including lead or lag constraints, performing side-by-side comparisons that immediately reveal float gain or loss versus criticality, rapidly identifying underperforming activities, and scrutinizing delay events and assigning responsibility to project participants. To validate the new approach, a delay example from the literature is reanalyzed to gain insights into schedule performance. Comparing the network conversion with a previously developed linear schedule one indicates that the entire approach provides a single framework to plan and control project schedules, which thus can be called the Unified Diagramming Method.
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Acknowledgments
Financial support by Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES Foundation), Ministry of Education, Brazil for the first author is gratefully acknowledged. Early thoughts by Philip M. Goolkasian, former undergraduate student at the Catholic University of America, on the layout are gratefully acknowledged. Last but not least, thanks to Ms. Kimberly M. Hoffman, Scholarly Communications Coordinator at Catholic University of America for assistance in obtaining library materials.
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© 2016 American Society of Civil Engineers.
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Received: Jul 24, 2015
Accepted: Nov 5, 2015
Published online: Jan 21, 2016
Discussion open until: Jun 21, 2016
Published in print: Jul 1, 2016
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